6380+ Science Fiction Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Whether you’re looking for daring space battles or chilling “what if” glimpses of the future, you’ll find what you’re looking for in our collection of free science fiction short stories.

🏆 Winning stories

“Ke Kulanakauhale ma ke Kai, or The City by The Sea” by Thomas Iannucci

🏆 Winner of Contest #243

Ke Kulanakauhale ma ke Kaior,The City by the Seaby thomas iannucci Author’s Note: In this story I use Hawaiian words, as the story is set in a post-apocalyptic Hawaii. However, I do not italicize them, as I am from Hawaii, and so these words are not foreign to me. Growing up there were many English words unfamiliar to us in school, and they were never italicized; I would like this same standard to be applied to Hawaiian, which is, for better or for worse, also now a language in the United States. Mahalo for your kokua. “The city by the sea,...

93 likes 116 comments 116

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“Echelon” by Kris Hawkins

🏆 Winner of Contest #203

Leaning against a tarnished railing aboard a ferry, Katherine watched ocean waves curl into themselves. Close to her chest, she held a pewter urn containing her mother’s cremated remains. She breathed deeply, the taste of brine caking her tongue like damp ash. The midday sun reflected in droplets that quavered on the balusters, then trickled down like little rivulets, only to reappear from the periodic spray of waves breaking against the prow. Other ferry goers chattered around her, though Katherine was only vaguely aware of them. Her th...

118 likes 70 comments 70

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“To Plant a Garden. ” by SCOTT GEORGE

🏆 Winner of Contest #193

 Thornton Gombar lifted his gaze to the sky as a hovercraft zoomed over his home. Based on the rosy pink tints that adorned its exterior, Thornton surmised that the vehicle was a pleasure craft, likely filled with a small group of men and women engaging in gross debauchery as the self-driving vehicle propelled itself across the sky. The craft jerked and jolted in an arrhythmic manner as it flew to the heart of Homasoro C...

165 likes 60 comments 60

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⭐️ Recommended stories

“Protector of the Stars” by Serynsatina Song

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #245

Low clouds swelled over splashes of gold-flecked vermilion sky on the sunset eve of my sister’s death anniversary. The air tasted of winter-chilled pine, piercing tiny needles into my lungs as I inhaled. The pain was electric, filling my head with a low buzzing. It was better than feeling nothing at all, and for that I was grateful. I trudged towards my apartment, nano-rifle swinging awkwardly against my hip, taking in the sights of my city awash in crepuscular glow. The sharp, clean lines of pewter architecture cutting austere shadows over ...

16 likes 7 comments 7

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“The Well and the Tower” by Deimantas Saladžius

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #243

As my tongue slid over my cracked lips, a gnawing saltiness invaded my mouth. Yet, my lips remained dry. I took a sip from the bottle. I held it against my lips, but kept my mouth shut. After withdrawing the bottle, I circled reachable areas with my tongue several times. What I managed to gather, I swallowed. It was probably the last few drops of water within several tens of kilometers, so without hesitation, I hid the bottle. The well offered some relief from the heat. I was grateful for that much. I checked the ground—crumbled into tiny gr...

25 likes 17 comments 17

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“The Shot” by Joseph Keener

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #241

He didn't need to do anything. He could just sit down at his desk and wait. The waiting would be the hardest part. The shame would come, and perhaps it would never stop. The thousands of employees under his company would be blameless, they wouldn't put it together until it was too late. The blame would fall squarely on the men in this room. For the last one hundred and fifty years, the painstaking process of terraforming the exoplanet Gupta-2125 had fallen on his company: James Adelade Space Innovations. The process had been beyond revoluti...

24 likes 7 comments 7

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✍️ All stories

“The Cost of the Game” by T.J.E. Hostetter

Submitted to Contest #246

The Holy Fire fleet flew through the rubble of their enemy’s vessels. From the ships covered with engravings of birds and feathers emerged the Thunder Falcon teleportation ships, making their way down to the surface to engage their foe. The Falcons entered the lower atmosphere before hovering in midair and opening their wings. Blankets of lightning emerged from them opening up the teleportation link from the ships in space to the surface and the Fire Forces began to appear in the field. In the distance was the castle where the Pale Prince sa...

2 likes 0 comments 0

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“Pandora's Game” by Kendall Cruze

Submitted to Contest #246

Claire stood outside the massive gray building that towered over the city. For a gaming facility, the outside was pretty bare, and institutional looking. She walked into the building, feeling the gust of icy air conditioning hit her face after being in the warm, spring air outside.Shivering slightly, she made her way across the empty lobby, her footsteps echoing throughout. Inside was one giant computer screen on the walls, flashing from one graphic to the next."Hello miss." A friendly voice pulled her gaze. Looking ahead, she saw friendly w...

2 likes 0 comments 0

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“...until someone vents the airlock!” by Glen Wiley

Submitted to Contest #246

“Diaz! Fall in. HUP two three four HUP two three four!” Sarge barks in cadence over the squad intercom. LEFT! HUAH!” The squad turns and passes into the airlock. “Squad! HALT! I’m on point for breach.” Sarge’s gravelly voice declares as he takes his position in front of the exit door. “Corporal, you are number two. Jones and Diaz are three and four. Seal your helmets and sound off.” “Aye, Sarge,” says Oleg as the bulk of his personal battle suit hides Sarge from Diaz’s view. “Aye,” says Jones as he steps shoulder to shoulder with Diaz. Sarge...

5 likes 4 comments 4

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“Lars From Mars” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #246

Astronaut Lars Bergman plants the Swedish national flag on the surface. Spencer Vertigo embeds the flag of the United States next to it. “This is Lars from Mars…”  “CUT! Off camera, Frazier Capstone the project’s director, slams his open hand against his forehead. “I never thought I’d see a Swedish ham,” Frazier comments, as the camera crew attempts to stifle their laughter. “This is supposed to be the greatest moment in the history of mankind. We’re not doing this to turn you into a Swedish Oprah Winfrey. Try it again. And this time co...

6 likes 4 comments 4

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“Striker” by Bahadrhan Cicek

Submitted to Contest #246

They gathered as usual and started to play, taking advantage of the empty stadium. As time passed, they felt the stadium starting to fill up. At first, they thought it was just the usual children waiting to play after them, but then they realized that the situation was different. The stadium was almost half full. The usual weekend events had turned into a real atmosphere this time. When they decided to leave the field, another team from the same age group offered to come and enjoy the atmosphere. Eight teams of five players each emerged. Th...

9 likes 0 comments 0

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“Cue the Neighbor” by Joe Smallwood

Submitted to Contest #246

Oh, you could talk me out of it if you seriously tried. I’m half expecting it. It’s a sideswipe away.As in something you never seriously do! Don’t you get it? Why do you always look at me that way? Like I don’t know what I am doing. Be serious for once!Systems analysts could problem-solve everything in half a second. Like I’m doing now. Whether they are human or not doesn’t matter. I don’t even know half the time!But look at it this way: you want a payoff, right? An Elationship? Perfect.Wuz! Slow tech! Five seconds till the sim payoff, and I...

14 likes 6 comments 6

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“Pillars of Creation” by Liam Cochran

Submitted to Contest #245

I looked through the cockpit window to my left. Far off in the distance, the great glimmering panels of the Dyson sphere began to cross into the path of the sun. Its godlike depiction of humankind only mocked Icarus, for it touched the sun and took it too. Every eighteen hours or so, a few minutes of total darkness swept through the fleet, great freighters transporting for the Government. When the darkness would overtake the fleet in a few minutes, I could finally make my escape to find the great Pillars of Creation I had always dreamt of. I...

4 likes 1 comment 1

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“PATH OF TOTALITY” by Brice Matte

Submitted to Contest #245

Sofie walked into the police station and looked around. It wasn’t as busy as she was expecting. But, then again, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Today was the first total solar eclipse in almost seven years. Everyone all over the country had been talking about it, and the citizens of Rucker, Texas were no different. In the week leading up to it, people were starting to go a little stir crazy in anticipation.“Hey, lieutenant!” Troy smiled. “Didn’t think you’d be coming in today.”“And miss all the fun?” Sofie smiled back. “How’s it be...

6 likes 5 comments 5

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“Last Supper in Atlanta” by Brody Petree

Submitted to Contest #245

I turn the news on my little television box in the kitchen every morning while I brew my coffee, not to pay attention to the world revolving around me, I just need something to break the silence. I am finishing my last few sips when my inner thought is interrupted by the breaking news musical intro and the headline “ Asteroid Aphosis Changes Direction For Atlanta ''.  The newscaster gives a brief description of how scientists initially had a 3% chance it would collide with Earth, however just yesterday the ISS captured film of Asphosis ...

4 likes 0 comments 0

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“The Twin Moons of Aksala” by Kaja Gjelde

Submitted to Contest #245

Last night’s snow layered on ice crunched beneath her boots. The harsh wind from the mountains polished the light snow into a glass sheet. The tracks left by earlier travelers helped her metal cleats find purchase, making the climb slightly less arduous. Breathing heavily, Arda reached the plateau and strode towards the gathering crowd. In the twilight she could see the few locals in attendance stood a good distance from the group of refugees. She moved past the latter nodding in greeting. Some she recognized from the camp on the far west si...

2 likes 1 comment 1

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“Timeless Dark” by Manny DeAngelis

Submitted to Contest #245

Report to Administration of Control for Possible Zone of AnomalyLocation: Masu Star System, Planet Ankou, 83.74°N 235.73°ETags: time distortion, gravitational disruption, confirmed lethalAbstract:  Akuzawa Space Industries has held corporate claim to Planet Ankou for 23 years, during which time they have established only one research facility claiming to study the geological nature of the planet. Ten days ago, this facility went dark. Akuzawa immediately cut all legal ties with the planet and made no attempt for rescue, claiming the pla...

1 like 1 comment 1

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“Blood and Water” by Lindsay Anderson

Submitted to Contest #245

The Alignment happened once every three thousand years, the exact length of time civilization had been blooming on Hinadora.  One sun and two moons. Never had the world seen all align as one. The planet Hinadora often praised their sky. Moon Sy gave them moments of green when eclipsing Sun. Her blue and crystalline existence casting ripples and beams that sprung new life from the dirt. Blood moon Tertia looked to bite into Sun when she crossed, leaving Hinadora in dark quiet. There was the rare moment Sy and Tertia overlapped opposite S...

1 like 0 comments 0

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“The end?” by Kinsley Stoodley

Submitted to Contest #245

       It has been 42 days since the beginning of the end of the world.             Well, that’ s what everyone says. I should really say, it’s been 42 days since the sun disappeared. And 34 days since my parents left.              They were supposed to be gone three days.              “We’ll be back soon,” they pro...

3 likes 2 comments 2

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“Entomo-Eclipse” by Beth Templeton

Submitted to Contest #245

We stare at the sky as our world becomes dimmer. The constant drone is almost a lullaby. The sun is nearly gone, and as it slowly fades from view, we too fade into darkness. Holding hands, we think back on our lives as our minutes turn into seconds. I can’t hear my mother beside me but can see the tears streaming down her face. Her mouth fills with black as we begin to become one with the flies.It’s hard to imagine a life without constant buzzing and blackouts.My grandmother tells stories of her childhood, running around outside and catching...

2 likes 0 comments 0

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“At Least There's No HOA” by Pat Royson

Submitted to Contest #245

The Edge always gave Rick the heebie-jeebies. He deactivated the till setting on his new Spyder Deluxe, silencing the low thrumming noise of jagged claws that had been working the ground below, then killed the engine. The machine’s legs stretched and the body lifted, raising Rick’s vantage and giving the impression that the Edge was creeping inward, encroaching on his land like weeds to wheat. In a few minutes, his neighbor’s property, now only a slow-moving speck hardly visible against the spackled backdrop of deep space, would swing close ...

6 likes 1 comment 1

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